8 Ways to Boost Visibility as a New Creative Business
Whether you have a brand new business or you’ve been around for a couple of years, you're probably wondering, “How can I continue – or just start – to make sales?”
The number one best way to make more sales is to get your work out there to be seen by more people!
And I know you're probably thinking… “But Lauryn, how do I boost my visibility???”
Well, I’ve got you covered!
Here are 8 ways to boost your visibility as a new creative business:
1. Creating consistency
Consistency is everything. But beware – consistency looks different for everyone.
Your first order of business is to figure out what feels doable and fun for you, and then commit to sticking to that schedule.
Here’s an example of what that looks like for my business:
1 x per month - blog
1 x per month - Youtube video
2 x per month - email newsletters
3-5 x per week - social media posts
5-7 x per week - sharing on IG stories
1 x per week - IG Live
1-2 x per week - checking in with prospects by email
2-4 x per week - posting and engaging in FB or LinkedIn groups
These are the basic goals that I try my best to hit regularly. Sometimes I fall short, and sometimes I experiment with others, but I’ve noticed that the months that I’m most consistent, are also the months I have the most sales.
2. Setting intentions as to why you want to be visible
Why do you want to be visible?
Ask yourself:
Why do you love what you have to offer?
Why is what I have to offer amazing?
How would I show up if I believed that there were people in line ready and waiting to buy from me?
Why will what I have to offer change their life?
Truly understanding your why is key in moving things forward.
3. Showing up despite your limiting beliefs and working through the limiting beliefs
Someone wise once told me, “Bring the body, and the mind will follow.”
Here are some ways to get started:
Just start typing whatever comes to mind on a page, then figure out what to write.
Drive to the event and walk in the door, then figure out what to do next.
Show up on your IG live or for your workshop, then start talking.
It seems so simple, yet we overcomplicate every action with all of our thoughts, feelings, and expectations. The key is to bring yourself into the present moment, into the action and let go of any preconceived notions or emotions. Using your body as the driving force is a great way to get momentum going when you are feeling stuck.
4. Embracing an experimental mindset and the power of evaluation
I like to think of every experience in my business as an experiment. What would happen if I did this, or showed up like that? How would I feel, what would I learn, and who would I meet?
Another great way to take the pressure off is to evaluate yourself throughout the process.
Specifically:
What went well? (celebrate your wins!)
What didn’t go so well? (use as feedback for the future)
What would you do differently next time?
Embracing this kind of experimental mindset allows you to enjoy the process and view your “mistakes” as learning lessons to grow from.
5. Understanding your client avatar
If you’re not clear on who your ideal customer is, how will you know how to market your business to them?
The best way to understand the characteristics of your ideal client is to use real-life people. If you haven’t made your first sale yet, that’s okay too! You can use a previous or current version of yourself as the person interested in buying from you.
Now take a look at one of your current or previous customers that had the following characteristics to make up your I.D.E.A.L. customer:
I - Interests are similar to yours
D - Decisive and ready to take action
E - Excellent testimonial or review
A - Able to pay
L - Love what you have to offer
Write down a few people who have purchased from you that qualify as each of the above attributes. What kind of person were they and why did they need what you have? What about them made them so ready to buy? What specifically did they say in their review that they loved about your product or service?
If you are a brand new business without any customers and using a version of yourself for this exercise, you can disregard the E line. Think about when in your life you would have been ready and willing to buy what you are offering now – why would that version of you absolutely love what you have to offer?
Here are a few more journaling prompts to understand your customer avatar even more deeply.
Who do you want to help or serve?
What types of people already come to you for what you have to offer?
What kind of goals and values do these people have?
What kind of challenges or frustrations are they facing?
Take some time to create 1-4 I.D.E.A.L. customers based on the above information. It’s easier to show up more regularly when you know who you are speaking to. It makes it less intimidating and more like a one-on-one conversation with a person who is ready and waiting to hear from you!
6. Leaning into proof of concept and reframing your thoughts around it
It’s easy to obsess over why things aren’t happening the way you expected or desired them to.
But staying focused on what’s lacking perpetuates the feeling of being stuck.
Your brain zeroes in on all the reasons things aren't working and literally looks for problems to prove itself right.
A lot of times when you are feeling stuck or overwhelmed, you don’t feel like showing up to work or feel like being seen.
But you're in luck, because back in July I talked about the 5 Ways To Keep Momentum Going When You Feel Like Giving Up.
I’ve included the abridged version below. Or you can also watch my Youtube Video HERE.
Have compassion for yourself!
Write down all of your fears
Consciously feel those fears and then release them
Write down proof of how things are working
Remind yourself what you have control over
7. Embracing partnerships, community, and collaboration
There are literally people everywhere you go. I met an interesting girl who makes pottery at Trader Joe’s yesterday and now we’re Instagram friends.
I’ve also met a ton of people through Facebook groups - literally some of my besties!
Who else, and how else can you meet more people and start collaborating?
Here are a few examples that I’ve tried out:
Hosted in-person workshops at co-working spaces
Hosted online and in-person workshops with other entrepreneurs
Taught a meditation and writing class at a local recreation center
Hosted weekly IG Live interviewing friends, colleagues, and icons who have creative careers
Attended classes and workshops that sound fun and interesting to me
Was interviewed on other people’s podcasts
Started a collaboration with The Art Is… Podcast, giving free Career Coaching Tips in 10 episodes on season 4
Reached out to other inspiring businesses to see how we might be able to collaborate
Set up coffee dates with random people I meet online or in person
Attended AA meetings weekly and was of service
Frequented local coffee shops and became a regular who now knows all of the people that work there
Worked other part-time jobs where I got to be of service and met other interesting people
8. Having accountability
So many of the ideas above are great ways to boost your visibility and get your product or services in the hands of people who are eagerly waiting for them!
But having these ideas isn't enough. For a lot of people deciding on the things to take action on and committing to them is the hardest part. That’s why accountability is so crucial. When you follow through and keep your word to another person, it starts building trust within yourself that you can complete the tasks you set out to do. When you strengthen your trust muscle, it becomes easier to stay accountable to yourself.
If you’re looking for accountability with your creative career, there’s no time like the present to start prepping for the new year!
I help my clients turn their passion projects into profitable businesses. If you're interested in chatting about how I might be able to help you, book your free clarity call with me today.